Grassroots Championship

Hurrah, a brilliant idea at last from the boys at the top! 

If you haven't already heard the Intro/Pre-Novice Championship is going to be run at Badminton (and during the main event) WOOOOW!. This is the one competition every aspiring event rider  dreams of riding. 

I have to say, given the choice I'd choose Badminton over the Olympics any day. If any of the true amateurs are ever going to get the chance to experience the buzz of major event this is it. 

This is bound to engage the BE membership and give them something to aim for, and justification for all those fees. Watch out for a rise in entries and therefore balloting. Remember the vast majority of BE members don't ride above Novice.

Time to brush up my showjumping! 

 

Fair trade

Mark Phillips in his recent column suggested the FEI should place restrictions on European riders at 4 star events in order to give non-Europeans a chance of winning some of the bigger prizes (like the HSBC Series) because the cost of traveling to a major 4 star event can run to £100K for say an American or a Australian based rider. What a crap idea!

Sport should in NO way be means tested. Prizes are won and lost based on performance in the ring and on the course, there should be no other weighting system. 

We already spend a fortune (through various funds and grants), which I have to say I find hard to see the real benefit we get out of this.